Building Clinical Nursing Research Capacity: A Scalable Multi-Institutional Fellowship Model

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Health Systems Science
• Clinical Research Capacity Building

Background:

• The Nursing Research Fellowship (NRF) was initially developed at a single academic medical center.
• There was a need to expand clinical nursing research capacity across multiple health systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the structure, implementation, and value of the multi-institutional Nursing Research Fellowship (NRF).
• To identify facilitators, barriers, and leadership considerations for scaling the NRF program.

Main Methods:

• The NRF program was adapted into a multi-institutional model.
• Key facilitators, barriers, and leadership considerations were analyzed during implementation.

Main Results:

• The multi-institutional NRF model provided protected time, mentorship, and a standardized curriculum.
• The program did not require independent research infrastructure at each partner site.
• Implementation involved addressing facilitators, barriers, and leadership factors.

Conclusions:

• The NRF offers a scalable approach for building sustainable nursing research capacity.
• The fellowship supports professional development and integrates nurse-led inquiry into clinical practice.
• This model is valuable for diverse healthcare settings seeking to enhance research capabilities.